I am still painting, and it is truly just for the sake of creating. In creating I can find myself and God, so in that way is is also a form of prayer and therapy for me.
Today, as I painted, a story I read that a friend had posted on Facebook the other day kept coming to me. It is a story attributed to Katherine Hepburn. Even though the attribution is false, the story is quite meaningful and therefore, I believe, worthy of repeating.
Here is a copy of the story:
As someone who has experienced being “needy”, it really is not a good feeling. Because of that, I try to be very clear to people that no thank you or expectation of gratitude is needed. I am not giving them something and expecting something in return. In some ways when we have expectations, it becomes about the giver–a way to make themselves feel good. That kind of gift can make a person feel worse and indebted.
Granted, some might say that being proud is not necessarily a good attribute, and I would agree. Yet, I do not think that is what this story is about. I also know there is a way to graciously receive. Some may think it is harder to give than receive, but I might challenge that thought.
Traditionally, November and December are times of giving in the US with Thanksgiving in November and Christmas in December. If you give a gift to someone in need, know that an anonymous gift can be the most meaningful.
Below is my painting today. I am naming it for the story above.
“Waiting in Line at the Circus” – acrylic multimedia on paper –
will fit in a standard 8×10″ mat opening – $50 unframed
Lord, help us to see a bigger picture. Maybe we can imaging how different something might look from the top of the ferris wheel or looking up. Amen.
Blessings,
Christine
